Pirated movies and TV shows are accessible to anyone with an Internet connection, but sometimes, an Internet connection isn’t even needed. In Ghana, TV stations have been broadcasting pirated films, prompting a government warning.
Copyright infringement is a worldwide issue, and Ghana is no different. As broadband access increases, the country’s online piracy rate has doubled over the last five years.
Even households without reliable Internet can unknowingly contribute to the problem. Local TV stations have been found to regularly air films without proper permissions from the rightsholders.
TV-Sponsored Piracy
TV-sponsored piracy is not a new phenomenon. Similar incidents have occurred worldwide, such as in Iran, where state TV aired pirated films with watermarks still visible. Often, viewers can’t tell if a broadcaster has the necessary licenses.
Pirating TV Channels
Unauthorized broadcasts are a significant issue in Ghana too. Reports indicate that several TV stations have aired films without proper licensing, including international films and Nigeria’s ‘Nollywood’ productions.
Nigerian actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri raised the alarm last year, urging Ghana to stop airing unlicensed films and threatening legal action.
“I love the country, but it is disappointing that a major TV station in Ghana would show my content without a license. This is the first and last warning; next time, my lawyers will get involved,” Kadiri stated.
Film Authority Issues Warning
No legal actions have been reported, but the Ghanaian government has taken notice. The National Film Authority (NFA) issued a public notice yesterday, addressing complaints from global film distributors about unlicensed broadcasts.
The NFA’s notice emphasized that broadcasting films without the copyright owner’s authorization is a copyright infringement, subject to civil and criminal liabilities.
Ghanaian TV stations are instructed to review their schedules to ensure all films are properly licensed and immediately stop airing any unlicensed content.
The effectiveness of this warning remains to be seen, but authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
